NFL: Eagles part ways with announcer Dan Baker

Dan Baker, the voice of Eagles home games since 1985, is being replaced.

The 67-year-old public address announcer, whose voice comforted a generation of Eagles fans, was told last week by team president Don Smolenski management wanted to go “in a different direction.

“He said it wasn’t an easy thing for him to do and that they were very appreciative of my professionalism and dedication and service but that they just felt they needed to move in a new direction and that the in-stadium presentation is changing,” Baker said Wednesday. “This isn’t my choice of course. But I’m grateful for the opportunity. I truly am grateful to Mr. Lurie and the Eagles and especially the fans for this great opportunity. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve put every ounce of energy I had into every game, every play. And I think that came across. I hope it did.”

Baker is the only public announcer the Eagles have had in their 11-year history at Lincoln Financial Field. He was the PA person in their biggest win of the Jeffrey Lurie era, the 2005 NFC title game triumph over the Atlanta Falcons catapulting them into Super Bowl XXXIX.

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“That would be the favorite, winning the NFC championship,” Baker said. “That was a lot of fun.”

In a statement furnished by the Eagles, Smolenski said of Baker, “Dan is the ultimate professional.

“Even though he was disappointed with the direction we are heading, he was accepting of our decision to make the change,” Smolenski said. “We are very appreciative of his dedication and service. He never missed a single game.”

The Eagles contend their home game day experience “continues to evolve with expanded audio and visual enhancements and the game-telling experience is no longer the responsibility of a single person.

“It is a true multi-media experience,” Smolenski said.

The Eagles say they’ve begun a search for a new public address announcer with an unspecified outside agency. They’re recognizing Baker at their Sept. 7 home and season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Baker remains public address announcer of the Phillies, a post he’s held since 1972. Topping his greatest memories in that role is doing the Phillies’ 1980 and 2008 World Series championship games at Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, respectively.

“I feel as if I’ve got a lot left,” Baker said. “This is just, I guess a change of flavors which again, ownership and management is entitled to do. I’ve had so much good fortune. I’ve had some great jobs. I have a great family. I have a great life. Maybe a little bit less enjoyable not doing the Eagles because I loved announcing Eagles games. But I still have so many other blessings it’s hard for me to complain.”